Latch mechanism



Feb. 24, 1942. w. c. DEVEREAUX LATCH MECHANISM Filed Jan. 25, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' s an m M m E 0 VH T m M E D c 2 M M L4, H w

Feb. 24, 1942. I w. c. DEVEREAUX 2,274,362

' LATCH MECHANISM Filed'Jan. 23, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a FIG.3.

INVENTOR WILLIAM C.DEVEREAU Patented Feb. 24, 1942 UNITED STATE 5. PATENT orrice This invention relates to latch mechanisms and refers more particularly to improvements in latch mechanisms'of the type capable of performing the dual function of latching a closure in its closed position and effectively supporting the swinging edge of the closure relative to the surrounding frame structure.

One of the principal features of this invention resides in the provision of a relatively simple inexpensive latch mechanism constructed to insure easy and noiseless operation, of the mechanism to effect both latching of the closure in its closed position and opening, of the closure. 1

Another advantageous feature of the present invention which contributes materially to simplifying the construction and reducing the cost of manufacture consists in the provision of a combined latch mechanism and. dovetail assembly effective to not only securely latch the closure in its closed position, but to also support the swinging edge of the closure against shifting movement relative to the surrounding frame structure.

Still another object of the present invention resides in the provision of latch mechanism of the character set forth above having an improved safety catch operating in a dependable noiseless manner to securely hold the closure against open- I ing movement relative to the surrounding frame structure in the event the latch fails to catch, or in the event it is accidentally released.

A further object ofthis invention resides in the provision of latch mechanism having a bolt mounted for sliding movement transversely of the swinging edge face of the door in a plane parallel to theplane of said face, and having pivotally supported interconnected parts connected to the bolt for sliding the latter. By supporting the bolt retracting parts for pivotal movement, instead of sliding movement, the friction of the mechanism is reduced to the minimum and, as a result, less force is required to operate the latch mechanism.

A still further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of latch mechanism having, a keeper embodying a spring-pressed safety catch retracted by the bolt upon initial closing movement of they closure and cooperating with the bolt to hold thenclosure in a partially closed position with respect tothe surrounding supporting structure. I

In addition to the'foregoing, the, present intion, either from the inside, or the outside of the closure.

The foregoing, as well as other objects, will be made more apparent as this description proceeds,

especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 isa fragmentary perspective view illustrating a portion of the swinging edge face of a closure equipped with latch mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention{ Figure 2 is a perspective view of a part of the latch mechanism forming the subject matter of this invention; I

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the latch mechanism shown in Figure 2 and illustrating a remotecontrol associated with the latch mechanism; c

I Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 3; I

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the manner in which the latch bolt cooperates with the keepergto hold the closure in a partially closed position;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the manner in which the latch bolt cooperates with the keeper to hold the closure in'its fully closed position; I v

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line '|--1 of Figure 6.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, it will be noted that there is illustrated in Figure l a portion of a vehicle body door I0 mounted in the usual manner for swinging movement relative to the frame structure surrounding the door opening andincluding a jamb, designated generally in the drawings by the reference character II. The swinging edge of the door In is latched and supported on the jamb II by means oflatch mechanism I'2'v having a supporting plate I3 suitably secured, to the swinging edge portion of the door I'll by means of the fastener elements M. The supporting plate I3 is shown in the several figures of the drawings as comprising angularly disposed portions I5 and H5. The portion I5 of the plate is arranged in a plane parallel tothe plane of the swinging edge face of the door I0 and vention contemplates. latch mechanism of the character hereinbefore set forth embodying novel means for locking the latch bolt, against retracthe portion I6 is positioned in overlapping rela tion with the inboard side of the door II].

In addition, the latch mechanism I2 is provided with a bolt I'I mounted on the portion I5 of the plate I3 for sliding movement in opposite directions in a plane parallel to the plane of the swinging edge face of the door and cooperating with a keeper l8 on the door jamb to effectively latch the door in both partially and fully closed positions. In the present instance, the keeper |8 is secured to the door jamb II at an elevation above the path of swinging movement of the bolt I1, and the latter is movable transversely of the swinging edge face of the door along a path inclined with respect to a horizontal plan toward and away from the keeper l8.

Uponreference to Figures and 6, it will be noted that the bolt I1 is provided with a V- shaped nose H3 at the upper end having substantially fiat side surfaces 20 and 2|, respectively, facing the outboard and inboard sides of the door. The surface 20 is substantially parallel to the path of sliding movement of the bolt I1, and the surface 2| extends transversely of this path of travel. The V-shaped nose I 9 on the bolt cooperates with a V-shaped projection 22 depending from the bottom side wall of the keeper to latch the door in its fully closed position. The keeper I8 is located on the jamb H in such a manner that the V-shaped projection 22 assumes a position in the path of movement of the V- shaped nose If! on the bolt carried by the door, and. this projection is shown in the above figures as having substantially fiat surfaces 23 and 24, respectively, engaged by the surfaces 2| and 20 on the V-shaped nose IQ of the bolt when the door is swung to its closed position. In this connection, it will be observed that the surface 23 on the .V-shaped projection of the keeper is inclined and engages the surface 2| on the bolt to cam the bolt to its retracted position during the final closing movement of the door. The surface 24 of the V-shaped projection 22 on the keeper is parallel with the surface 20 on the bolt and is adapted to be engaged by the latter surface when the door is in its fully closed position to latch the same in this position. As will be more fully hereinafter set forth, the bolt is moved by a spring 25, shown in Figure 7, to its extended position illustrated in Figure 6 as soon as the surface 2| on the bolt is released from the cam surface23on the keeper 8.

It will be noted from Figures 5 and 6 that thejkeeper I8 is in the form of a sheet metal housing capable of being readily pressed into the desired shape and having a top substantially flat horizontal wall 26 cooperating with a dovetail 21 projecting from the swinging edge face of the door above the bolt to insure proper engagement of the bolt with the keeper. The dovetail 2'! is also in the form of a sheet metal stamping projecting through a correspondingly shaped slot formed in the portion l5 of the lock plate l3 and secured to the inner side of this portion.

ly V-shaped portion 3| projecting downwardly through a slot 32 formed in the outboard side 23 of the V-shaped nose 22 on the keeper. The slot 32 is elongated in a direction extending transversely of the door jamb, or in the direction of the action of the spring 30 and, of course. possesses suficient width tofreely receive the V-shaped projecting portion 3| of the safety catch. The safety catch 29 is normally maintained by the spring 30 in a position wherein the outboard end abuts the adjacent end wall of the keeper housing and, when in this position, the

- V-shaped projecting portion 3| extends through It will'be observed from several figures of the drawings that the bottom surface of the dovetail is fashioned with an upwardly inclined cam surface 28 adapted to engage the outboard edge of the keeper and exert a. lifting action on the swinging edge of the door to insure proper positioning of the parts in the closed position of the door.

Referring again to Figures 5 and 6, it will be noted that a safety catch 29 is mounted in the housing or keeper I8 for sliding movement transversely of the door jamb and normally urged in a direction toward the outboard side of the door jamb by means of a coil spring 30 positioned between the inboard side of the safety catch and the opposite wall of the keeper IS. The catch 29 is shown as having a depending substantialthe slot 32 into the path of travel of the V- shaped nose l9 on the bolt IT. The spring 30 is of less strength than the spring so that as the door is swung to its closed position, the surface 2| on the nose IQ of the bolt abuts the outboard surface 33 on the catch 29 and moves the catch 29 against the action of the spring in a direction toward the inboard side of the door jamb Movement of the safety catch 29 in the above direction by the bolt continues until the inclined surface 33 on the catch assumes a position flush with the surface 23 on the keeper l8. As the closing movement of the door is continued, the bolt I1 is retracted by engagement of the surface 23 on the keeper with the surface 2| on the bolt and when the swinging edge face of the door assumes the position thereof shown in Figure 5 relative to the jamb II, the safety catch is returned to its normal position by the spring 30 wherein the inboard surface 34 of the V-shaped projection 3| assumes a position in overlapping relation with the outboard surface 20 on the V-shaped nose IQ of the bolt. The surface 34 on the safety catch is parallel to the surface 20 on the bolt and, as shown in Figure acts as an abutment for the bolt to latch the door in a partially closed position. Of course, continued movement of the door to its fully closed position initially further retracts the bolt l1 and finally permits the bolt I! to assume the position thereof shown in Figure 6 wherein, as stated above, the door is securely latched in its fully closed position.

It has previously been stated that the bolt I1 is slidably supported on the portion l5 of the latch plate l3. In this connection, it will be noted from Figures 2, 4 and 7 that the portion l5 of the lock plate is provided with a slot or opening 35 therethrough elongated in the direction of reciprocation of the bolt and. having sufficient width to slidably receive a projection 36 on the bolt. The opposite longitudinally extending sides of the. slot 35 are provided with flanges 31 having a width approximating the width of the projection 36 to provide an adequate bearing support for the bolt. It will also be observed from the several figures that the bolt is also supported in a housing 38 suitably secured to the exterior side of the portion l5 of the latch plate to extend in the direction of sliding movement of the bolt and having a portion cut away to expose the nose IQ of the bolt. The housing 38 is of sufficient length to provide for the necessary travel of the. bolt I1 and the spring 25 is located in the housing. As shown particularly in Figure '7, one end of the spring extends into a recess 39 in the end of the bolt facing the outboard side of the door, andthe opposite end of the spring is positioned on a projection 40 struck from the adjacent end of the housing 38.

It will be noted from the above that the spring 25 normally urges the bolt to a position wherein azvgeea the end or theproj ection 36 facing: the inboard side or: the door, engages the adjacent end wall shown in Figure 6, the projection 36 is spaced a slight distance from the end wall aforesaid of the slot soas to provide sufficient clearance for any take up that may be necessary to effectively holdthe door in its closed position.

Bolt retracting) mechanism Upon reference to Figures 2 1304, inclusive, it will be .notedthat provision ,iSfmadB for retracting the bolt from the outboard; side of the door by means of the operating handle 4! and from the inboard side of thej'door. by means of the operating arm 42. In detail, a bolt retracting member 43 isv pivoted, as at 44,, to the innerfside of the portion l5. of the latch plate It for swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the swinging edge face; of. the door. The bolt retracting member 43 is provided? with an opening 45 therethrough adjacent the swinging end thereof for receiving api'n 46 extending inwardly from the projection 36jon the bolt, and this opening, is elongated radially with respect to the pivot 44 so as to avoid binding of the parts when thebolt retracting member 43 is swung in the direction of the arrow 41 in Figures 2 and 4. It will, of course, be understood from the latter figures that movement of the member 43 in the direction of the arrow 41 about its pivot'M retracts the bolt 36 against the action of the spring 25.

The bolt retracting member A3 its pivot 44 by means of a yoke 38 mounted upon the inner surface of the portion l6 of-the latch plate l3 for swinging movement abouta pivot 48 i engaging the yoke at a point between the inner and outer edges thereof. The outer edge of the yoke, adjacent the portion l of the latch plate I3, is shown in Figure 2 as having a lateral projection 56 extending into swinging edge of the bolt retracting member 43 at a point spaced above the opening 45. The arrangement is such thatswinging movement. of the yoke 48 about the pivot 49 in the direction of the arrow 52 in Figure 2: effects the swinging movement of the member 43 inv the direction of the arrow 4'! toretract the bolt ll. Swinging movement of the yoke 48 in the direction of the arrow 52 is resisted by means of a spiral spring 53 having one end anchored tothe portion. l6. of 1 the latch plate in any suitable manner and having the opposite end 54 abutting a lateral projection 55 formed on the yoke 48 at a point directly below the pivot 49. I

The. yoke 48 is swung about the. pivot 49 in, the direction of they arrow 52 against the action of the. spring 5.3v by means of a rollback or cam 56 rotatably mounted on the inner side of. the portion iii of thelatch plate [3 and having a hub 51 extending through an opening in the portion N5 of the latch plate. The hub 51 isprovided with a polygonal or rectangularly shaped opening 58 therethrough. for slidably receiving. a correspondingly shaped shank 59 secured to the operating handle 4i. As a, result, rocking movement of the operating handle 4! effects a corresponding rocking movement of the rollback 56 and, in the present instance, provision is made for swinging the yoke 48 in the direction of the arrow 52 when the rollback 56 is-rocked in the a slot 5| formed inthe direction of "the arrow 60 inFigui-e. 2, by the operating handle 4|. In detail, the rollback 56 is shownin Figures 2- and B as having a. laterally projecting portion 6! adapted to abut a rubber or non metallic buffer 63, carried by a lateral projection- M-on theyoke 48'. The. projection 64 isarranged on the yoke 48 at a point spaced above th-epivot 49. so that. as: the projection 61 p on the'rollbackengages the buffer 63, the yoke 48 is rocked in the direction of the arrow-52 to, retract the bolt ll: through the member 43.

. Thehandleshank 59 isshown in Figure. 4 as also'extendingthrough a positioning member 65 having an arm 66 secured to the portion [6 of the latch plate I3 by means of a shouldered pin 61 and a plate 68- having ahubportion 69 formed with an enlarged opening therethrough for the passage of the. shank 59. The opening through the positioning member 65 for the passage of the handle shankSS is designated in Figure 3 by the reference character 16 and, as will be observed from this figure,is provided with circumferentiall'y'spaced pairsof shoulders H and 12. The shoulders H cooperate with the shank 59 to position the handle inpredetermined relationship with the door when the latchbolt is in its extended position and the shoulders 12 form stops to limit the operating movement of the handle.

is swung about In this connection, it will be noted that the handle is normally maintained in a position determined r by the shoulders H by means of a spring 13 having a coiled portion sleeved over the hub. 69 on the plate 68 with one end 14 anchored against the portion 15 of the latch plate !3 by the lug l5 and having the opposite end'lt engaged in a V-shaped notch I1 formed in, the lateral projection 6| on the rollback 56. The spring 13 tends to resist mov'ement of the rollback 56 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2 and functions to return the rollback, together with the handle, to the position determined by the stops or shoulders 1|. It may be pointed out at this time thatlprior to inserting the handle shank in assembled relationship, the arm 18 on the rollback is held in abutting engagement with the shouldered pin 61 by the'spring .13. When in this position, the rectangularly shaped opening through the hub of the rollback is rocked to a position slightly out of line with the opening 10 through the the hub of the rollback, the latter must be rocked slightly in the direction of the arrow 60 to permit forcing the shank through the positioning member 65. It follows, therefore, that the rollback, under the action of the spring 13, cooperates with the positioning member to exert, in effect, a scissors action on the shank 59 of the operating handle to resist removal of the latter.

As pointed out above, the bolt l6 may also be retracted from the inboard sideof the door and, for accomplishing this result, an arm is pivoted at its upper end to the pin 49 adjacent the yoke 48 for swinging movement relative to the yoke. The lower end of the arm is shown in Figures 2 and 3 ashaving an extension 8| operatively connected to the handle '42 through the. medium of a link 83 in a manner such that when the handle 42 is raised, the arm 80 is rocked in the direction of 'the arrow A about the pin 49. This rocking movement of the arm 86 is transferred to the yoke4'8 by means of a lug 84 extendinglaterallyfrom the rear edge of the arm beneath the. corresponding end of the yoke 48. It follows, therefore, that movement of the arm 89 in the direction of the arrow A causes the lug 84 to abut the underside of the yoke 48 at the inner end of the latter and rock the same about the pivot 49 in the direction of the arrow 52. As stated above, rocking movement of the yoke 48 in the direction of the arrow 52 retracts the bolt I! through the member 43. In this connection, it will be noted that the projection 64, carrying the rubber buffer 63 on the yoke, is moved away from the rollback during this operation and, therefore, does not interfere with the rollback. It will also be noted that the operating lug 84 on the arm 89 is so positioned with respectto the yoke 49 that the yoke may be operated by the rollback 56 from the outside of the door without interfering with the arm 80.

Locking mechanism In accordance with the present invention, key operated means is provided for locking the bolt I1 against retracting movement, and this means is shown in Figure 3 as including a key operated cam 86 rockably supported in a lock housing 8'! for engagement with the lower end of a locking slide 88. The slide 88 is mounted upon the inner surface of the portion N of the lock plate I3 and the upper end of the slide is provided with a tapered cam surface 89 engageable with a correspondingly tapered edge portion 90 on therollback 58 when the cam is rocked to the uppermost position thereof shown in Figure 3. It follows, therefore, that any effort to operate the rollback by the door handle 4| to retract the bolt causes the inclined edge 90 on the rollback to abut the correspondingly inclined edge 89 on the slide and, inasmuch as the slide is held from downward movement by the cam 86, it follows that the bolt is locked against retracting movement.

The bolt may also be locked against retracting movement from the inner side of the door by merely depressing the rod 9|. In detail, it will be noted from Figure 2 that the inside door locking mechanism comprises a cam 93 supported on the inner surface of the portion N5 of the latch plate by means of a pin 94 for swinging movement in the plane of the arm 80 and having an opening 95 therethrough adjacent the swinging edge thereof to provide for extending the lower end portion of the rod 9| therethrough. The arrangement is such that movement of the push rod 9| downwardly swings the member 93 about the pivot 94 from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 3 wherein the swinging edge of the member 93 abuts a projection 96 extending from the upper end of the arm 89. The projection 96 is located inwardly with respect to the pivot 49 for the arm 80 and, as a consequence, swinging of the latter by the inside door handle 42 to retract the bolt is prevented.

It will also be noted that a knockout cam 91 is mounted on the pivot 94 between the locking cam member 93 and the inner surface of the portion N5 of the latch plate. The knockout cam 91 moves as a unit with the locking cam 93 in the same plane as the yoke 48 and is provided with an opening in alignment with the opening 95 to also receive the lower end of the push rod 9|. Inasmuch as the knockout cam 91 moves as a unit with the locking cam 93, it follows that downward movement of the push rod 91' also effects a swinging movement of the knockout cam 91 from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position illustrated in Figure 3 wherein it will be seen that the portion 98 of the cam is located directly in the path of the arm 18 on the rollback so as to prevent retraction of the bolt by operating the handle 4!. It will also be noted from Figure 3 that the knockout cam is provided with a shoulder 99 adapted to abut the inner side of a projection I99 formed on the yoke 48. The arrangement is such that if the latch mechanism is placed in the locked position shown in Figure 3 before the door is closed, the resulting movement of the yoke 48 in the direction of the arrow 52 will automatically swing the knockout cam member 91 and locking cam 93 to the inoperative position shown in Figure 2. This action, of course, is facilitated by means of the spring I03 shown in Figure 3 as acting on the knockout cam 91. With the above arrangement, it will be seen that it is impossible for anyone to lock themselves out of the vehicle by inadventently depressing the rod 9| before the door is closed.

Thus, from the foregoing, it will be observed that I have provided latch mechanism composed of a relatively few simple parts and capable of performing the dual function of supporting the swinging edge of the door in its closed position and effectively latching the door in the latter position, as well as in a partially open position. It will further be noted that the several parts of my improved latch mechanism cooperate to provide practically noiseless operation of the latch and to also insure easily closing and opening of the door.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a latch mechanism for a swinging closure, the combination of a bolt mounted on the swinging edge of the closure for sliding movement in a plane parallel to the swinging edge of the closure along a path extending transversely of the swinging edge of the closure, a keeper having an inclined bolt retracting surface engageable with the latching end of the bolt to retract said bolt as the closure is swung to its closed position, a safety catch slidably supported in the keeper for movement toward the inner end of the keeper and having a portion projecting through the inclined bolt retracting surface of the keeper for engagement by the bolt as the closure is swung to its closed position, said pro- J'ecting portion on the catch being movable by the bolt relative to the keeper in a direction toward the inner end of the keeper to a position flush with the inclined bolt retracting surface on the keeper and being releasable from engagement with the bolt when the closure is in its partially closed position, and means effective upon release of the safety catch by the bolt to return the safety catch to a position wherein the portion aforesaid thereof projects beyond the inclined bolt retracting surface and forms an abutment engageable with the adjacent side of the bolt to latch the closure in its partially closed position.

2. In a latch mechanism for a swinging closure, the combination of a bolt mounted on the swinging edge of the closure for sliding movement in a plane parallel to the plane of the swinging edge face of the closure in opposite directions along a path inclined with respect to the plane of the closure and having a surface at the latching end extending transversely to the path of travel of the bolt, a keeper having an inclined surface engageable with the transverse surface aforesaid on the bolt as the closure is swung toward its closed position to retract said bolt and having an opposed surface extending substantially parallel to the path of sliding movement of the bolt for engagement with the adjacent side of the bolt in the extended position of the latter to latch the closure in its closed position, a safety catch supported in the keeper for sliding movement in a direction toward the inner end of the keeper and having a portion projecting through the bolt retracting surface of the keeper for engagement by the bolt as the closure is swung toward its closed position, said projecting portion of the catch having a surface inclined in the general direction of the bolt retracting surface of the keeper and having an opposed surface extending substantially parallel to the path of sliding movement of the bolt, the first mentioned surface on the projecting portion of the catch adapted to be engaged by the transverse surface of the bolt as the closure is swung to its closed position to slide the catch relative to the keeper to a position wherein the projecting portion of the catch is flush with the bolt retracting surface of the keeper, and means effective upon release of the catch by the bolt to return the catch to a position wherein the projecting portion of the catch extends beyond the bolt retracting surface and wherein the surface of the projecting portion extending parallel to the path of sliding movement of the bolt forms an abutment engageable with the adjacent side of the bolt to latch the closure in a partially closed position.

3. In a latch mechanism for a swinging closure, a bolt mounted on the swinging edge face of the closure for sliding movement in opposite directions extending transversely of the swinging edge face of the closure and cooperating with a keeper to latch the closure in its closed position a member mounted for swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of sliding movement of the bolt and connected to the bolt for actuating the latter, a second member engageable with said first member for swinging the latter to operate said bolt, a third member for operating saidsecond member, a locking element movable into engagement with the third member to prevent operation of the latter to retract said bolt, and means on the second member responsive to retraction of the bolt by the keeper to move the locking element out of engagement with said third member.

4. In a latch mechanism for a swinging closure, a bolt mounted for sliding movement in a plane parallel to the swinging edge face of the closure along a path inclined with respect to the plane of the closure to cooperate with a keeper to latch the closure in a closed position, a member pivotally supported for swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the swinging edge face of the closure and connected to the bolt for retracting the latter from the keeper, means engageable with the member for swinging the latter to actuate said bolt from one side of the closure, additional means for op erating the member to retract the bolt from the opposite side of the closure, means for locking both of the aforesaid member operating means from retracting the bolt, and means responsive to movement of the bolt to its retracted position by the keeper to render the locking means inoperative.

5. In a latch mechanism for a swinging closure, a bolt mounted for sliding movement transversely of the swinging edge face of the closure in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said face and having a portion cooperating with a keeper to latch the closure in a closed position, a member pivotally supported for swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the swinging edge face of the closure and connected to the bolt for retracting the latter, a second member pivotally supported "for swinging movement in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of swinging movement of the first member and connected to the first member for actuating the latter, means for dogging the second member including an element supported for rocking movement and having a projection engageable with a shoulder on the second member and movable to undogging position by the second member upon movement of the bolt to its retracted position by the keeper.

WILLIAM C. DEVEREAUX. 

